Teaching Tip: How to use online presentations in a course
May 6, 2015
Have you been inspired by a Ted Talk? Do you look to YouTube to watch an expert in
your field? With an increasing number of web conferencing tools and improved broadband
services, there are many opportunities to deliver online presentations — and have
your students do so as well.
The ubiquity of mobile devices able to record video and the availability of server
space to share recordings allows students to share public presentations with those
who aren’t in the same location. Many of the skills necessary for public speaking
are the same whether delivered in a face-to-face environment or in an online environment.
UAF has several online courses that fulfill communication requirements for graduation
and use online presentations.
In Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (COMM F121X), Karen Taylor requires four speeches, two given online via Google+ Hangouts and two
recorded in front of a face-to-face audience in the students’ communities. The recorded
speeches are uploaded to Google Drive for instructor and peer feedback. There is an
active Google+ community for discussions about speeches and the communication class
content.
Corporate Strategy (BA F462) is based on group presentation skills. Jim McDermott uses a series of three individual
oral presentations and one group oral presentation so students can gain experience
and confidence. In addition, each student completes two peer evaluations of the other
individual and group presentations.
In Landscape Ecology and Wildlife Habitat (WLF F469-669), Falk Huettmann requires two, 20-minute presentations each followed by a synchronous
question-answer period. One presentation is delivered to a public audience, recorded,
and shared through Google Drive. The second is delivered to the class via Google+
Hangouts.
Read more about online presentations in UAF courses and reasons to incorporate them
into your own course on iTeachU.
If your course has an innovative communication component, let us know and we’ll feature
it on our website!
-- Teaching Tip by Heidi Olson, Learning Design Coordinator, and Casey Byrne, Associate Director of Program Development
for UAF eLearning.